Buying a boat is not only an emotional commitment, it is definitely a financial one too. If you just buy a boat because the idea of being out on the water appeals to you, your dreams are going to sink soon after if you are not considering these 8 things that can affect your boat buying experience. Recently we had an opportunity to work with a leading boat consulting and listing agency, Boatmo.com. They have given some great advice for us to post about finding that boat for sale.

1. Consider what you will be using the boat for. Don’t buy a fishing boat if you plan to be doing water skiing and partying with your friends.

2. Make sure you write down all the potential costs of owning a boat and average it into the monthly expenses. In addition to the boat cost, remember you have to pay for fuel, storage, maintenance, permits, licenses, insurance, equipment, and repairs.

3. Get in as many boats as possible to make certain you love the boating lifestyle before you invest a huge chunk of time and money.

4. Go ahead and check out a few local boating shows. Not only can you meet like-minded individuals who will answer all your questions and concerns, you can see what new technology is available in the latest boat releases.

5. Don’t assume you are getting the best dealing buying a new boat. Many people have to get out of their boat deals and will sell like-new boats packed with accessories for a fraction what you would pay for a brand new boat. Consider both carefully before buying.

6. Never pay the asking price of a boat, whether new or used. The asking price is just that, the price the seller “hoped” to get if the boat sells. With so many choices available, you set the terms and present an offer that is better for your needs.

7. Get to a local safety training class so you can see all the potential troubles that could occur miles from the shore line. When a storm catches you and your guests by surprise, you need to act quickly to ensure the safety of everyone on board.

8. Weigh the benefits of keeping the boat stored at the marina versus having to trailer it back home each time you want to go out for a ride on the seas. Docked at the marina is costly, but you can hit the water in a moments notice too!

Now that you know the 8 things you must consider before buying a boat, you should be in a better position to grab the right boat and have the best time with friends and family out on the water.

Choosing a realtor requires a bit of work because you have to understand early on that this is a relationship you are entering into that could last years. Depending on the housing market, you may sell the house in days or years, so you want to be working with a real estate professional that will have your best interests at heart. Recently our work with Premier One Charleston SC, gave us more insight into the real estate broker process. Feel free to visit them for Charleston SC real estate.

Consider these 5 tips for how to choose a realtor that is right for you and your family.

1. Call the Office – Put in a call to the local real estate office and inquire about who is the busiest realtor in that office. This is the person you want to be working with because they are busy for a reason. A busy realtor is working around the clock because of all the referrals and hustling they do each day.

2. Check Social Media – Check the social media profile pages of any realtors you have on your list. Take a close look and you will see impartial third-party customers who either rant or rave about their experience. There is a wealth of information here for you to utilize.

3. Join Groups – There are plenty of Facebook groups in your community that are focused on real estate. Here is where you can ask questions, interact with realtors, and get some help in choosing the best realtor for your specific situation. Don’t be afraid to post a message for help, plenty of residents and realtors will reply to your concerns.

4. Ask Neighbors – Chances are pretty goo someone you know in your neighborhood has bought or sold their house with the help of a local realtor. Ask them if they would recommend the realtor and why. Not only can you find a great professional to work with, many times the realtor will give referral money to those who pass the word about them.

5. Visit Their Website – Grab one of those local home magazines packed with houses for sale, there are tons of realtors advertising their websites in those free publications. Visit the websites and gather information that will help you make an informed decision. Reach out via e-mail with questions and see which realtors responded in a timely manner and took the time to address all your concerns.

These 5 tips for how to choose a realtor should put you in the perfect position to be working long-term with the best person for you. This business is all about relationships, you wan to be working with someone you like personally and professionally.

Buying a new home can be a very trying but rewarding process. In most cases, buying a new home will be the most costly purchase that you make in your lifetime. One of the recent real estate trends that are making it easier for potential buyers to step up and get into a new house, the real estate rebate or commission. The process is quite simple, buy a home and get commission rebates, and they can be quite large to say the least.

What is the Real Estate Rebate?
The real estate rebate is an incentive that your local real estate agent or agency offer potential buyers in exchange for utilizing them as the agent in the sale. The rebate works like this, upon closing of the property, the real estate agent will give the buyer cash at the agreed percentage. In the case of a house costing $300,000, the new buyer can expect to receive approximately $3,000 in the form of cash as closing.

Is the Rebate Only Available as Cash?
The real estate agent will discuss with the potential buyer the options available as far as the real estate rebate or commission. While cash at closing appeals to a large majority of buyers, there are other very attractive offers available. The agent could offer free services during the sale, like paying for home inspections, radon testing, or even the closing costs. Some agents offer buyers gift certificates that they can use after they move into their new house that will save them money on services they are going to need after moving in.

How Else Can the Rebate Benefit Buyers?
Consider for a moment that you are going to be getting around $3,000 at closing the form of a real estate rebate. Knowing that you have that money coming, you could opt for a larger home that was just out of your price range, and use the money to cover the extra costs involved with a slightly higher mortgage. Even if the bigger house added a few hundred dollars to the mortgage payment, with $3,000 coming, you have about 15 months of money to cover that added cost.

The benefits of the real estate rebate are numerous, and most importantly, they are negotiable. When you are considering two different agents and one offers 10% of their commission and the other 33%, that can be a difference of a few thousand dollars in your pocket once the sale of the home is complete.